León to Santiago de Compostela:Camino De Santiago with Joyce DeToni-Hill,
September 1 - September 16, 2026

Overview

To walk on the Camino de Santiago is to set sail on a river of time. Every ancient church tower, every proud castle, every silent ruin, every rusting, ringing bell has a story to tell the passing pilgrim. These landmarks are the rugged and rounded boulders in the river, silently testifying to the hands that long ago placed them here. The river itself is the thousand-year stream of pilgrims - men, women, children even - who set out toward the far west of Spain to start a new chapter, to remember a lost loved one, to release a burden, to lift a prayer, or to savor an adventure. Pilgrims over this wide estuary of many channels have hardened under their feet a firm path in the soil that beckons the traveler of today to join the procession and be forever changed.

This itinerary begins at the beautiful city of León, with its historic cathedral and fascinating medieval quarters. The walk continues to the Galician town of Sarría where, instead of walking through the busiest and most hectic part of the Camino the group skips ahead to the last official stage, beginning at O Pedrouzo. From there the group walks into Santiago de Compostela to receive their compostela completion certificates and enjoy the beauty and meaning of this ancient pilgrimage destination.

Map of the route

Daily Itinerary

September 1, 2026 - Gather in León

Description

We gather in this beautiful city. Very easy to reach by train or bus from Madrid or other parts of Spain, let us know if you'd like any assistance in getting here. Check-in at the group hotel, relax and enjoy the city, then gather for orientation in the late afternoon. Have your first group dinner together and then head to bed to rest and relax for tomorrow. "Established in AD70 as headquarters for the Roman Seventh Legion (hence the city's name), the delightful center city of León maintains its Roman layout, with north-south streets encompassed by solid walls with four city gates. For three centuries it was capital of the Kingdom of León, building on its economic base in the gold trade and as wool capital of the vast pasturelands of the high Meseta." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - Explore León

Description

Explore León Lots to explore here including: The basilica and museo of San Isidoro, Pantheon of Kings, Cathedral of León, Monastery of San Marcos, the Parador de León. Here's some more suggestions: Tourism in León. What to see. Tourist information | spain.info "Calle Ancha is the ideal venue for pilgrim watching and outdoor dining." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

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Thursday, September 3, 2026 - León to Hospitál de Órbigo

Description

After breakfast, private transport will take you from León to Chozas de Abajo where you'll start your walk to Hospital de Órbigo. "Hospital de Órbigo is located where the Via Taiana Roman road crossed the Órbigo River. This now-quiet river caried a much greater flow before the Barrios de Luna dam upstream was completed in 1951. The town's strategic location led it to be site of battles in 452 between the Suevi and Visigoths and in 878 between Alfonso I and the Moors. The name derives from the town's famous Camino de Santiago pilgrim hospital." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

distance: 19 km

ascent: 213 m

descent: 231 m

% hard surfaces: 65

difficulty rating: 3

September 4, 2026 - Hospitál de Órbigo to Astorga

Description

"A capital of the Asur tribe in ancient times, the Romans named this regional capital Asturicas Augustus, using it as an outpost on the Via Traiana to guard the mountain mines to the west. Because if its prominence, both St. Paul and Santiago were said to have visited here, and its third c. bishopric is one of Spain's oldest." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

distance: 17 km

ascent: 270 m

descent: 215 m

% hard surfaces: 73

difficulty rating: 3

Saturday, September 5, 2026 - Explore Astorga

Description

Many places to explore in Astorga: The Roman ruins which include the 50m Ergástula tunnel, the Plaza España, the 17th c. ayuntamiento (town hall) topped by a mechanical clock from 1748 with figures wearing costumes of the local Maragato mountain people. The chocolate museum which chronicles Astorga's centuries-old history as a regional chocolate center, the 15th-16th c. cathedral which houses the Chapel of San Miguel and Renaissance retablo by Gaspar Becerra, student of Michelangelo and Rafael and the Bishop's Palace and museum designed by the famed architect Antoni Gaudí and completed in 1913.

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Sunday, September 6, 2026 - Astorga to Rabanal del Camino

Description

"The long and gradual uphill can almost convince you that you are not climbing into the mountains." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown. You'll pass through the small towns of Murias de Rechivaldo, Santa Catalina de Somoza and El Ganso before the end of your day.

distance: 19.9 km

ascent: 364 m

descent: 87 m

% hard surfaces: 23

difficulty rating: 3

Monday, September 7, 2026, Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca

Description

"The walk includes some of the Camino's most beautiful mountain vistas on paths that are often very pleasant, particularly with wildflowers in season. The highlight of the day may be Cruz de Ferro, with its tradition of contemplation and spiritual release. The unstable footing on the long downhill into Molinaseca makes the day's middle half sometimes difficult..." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown. You will have transportation available at El Acebo to descend to Molinaseca.

distance: 23.7 km

ascent: 421 m

descent: 943 m

% hard surfaces: 23

difficulty rating: 4

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Molinaseca to Ponferrada

Description

"Nestled on a steep height above the confluence of the Sil and Boeza Rivers, Ponferrada was already an important settlement by the time it was appropriated into the Roman Empire. Destroyed by the Visigoths in the fifth c. and in the ninth c. by Muslim invaders the market town with its iron-buttressed bridge (hence its name from the Latin pons ferrata, or 'iron bridge') was too big for its medieval walls, pushing across the rivers with vibrant French and Jewish neighborhoods" - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown. One of the places to visit is the Templar castle pictured here.

distance: 7.5 km

ascent: 116 m

descent: 168 m

% hard surfaces: 23

difficulty rating: 2

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

Description

"The mostly flat stage can be described in three parts - the pleasant riverfront promenade out of Ponferrada; the walk among homes, gardens, villages and vineyards until Cacabelos, and then the not-so-pleasant walk along the highway until just shy of Villafranca del Bierzo." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown. An alternate route shortly after Pieros going through Valtuille de Arriba sends you across vineyards instead of the road.

distance: 23.6 km

ascent: 351 m

descent: 374 m

% hard surfaces: 23

difficulty rating: 4

Thursday, September 10, 2026 - Villafranca del Bierzo to Las Herrerias

Description

"From Spanish, meaning 'The Ironworks,' the forges of Las Herrerías processed iron ore from the nearby mines of the Sierra del Caurel. The town still includes a smithy, as well as the 18th c. Church of San Julián and remains of two fortifications" - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

distance: 20.3 km

ascent: 392 m

descent: 237 m

% hard surfaces: 23

difficulty rating: 4

Friday, September 11, 2026 - Las Herrerias to O Cebreiro

Description

"A day of sweeping views during steady up- and downhill climbs, almost entirely on paths of diret and gravel. The climax comes at touristy O Cebreiro, first town of Galicia and an introduction to the unique history of this northwest Spanish region." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

distance: 7.9 km

ascent: 664 m

descent: 11 m

% hard surfaces: 54

difficulty rating: 5

Saturday, September 12, 2026 - O Cebreiro to Triacastela

Description

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51660874

distance: 20.7 km

ascent: 306 m

descent: 925 m

% hard surfaces: 21

difficulty rating: 5

Sunday, September 13, 2026 - Triacastela to Sarria

Description

After Triacastela be sure to turn to the right to walk through the San Xil area instead of the longer route through Samos to the left (25.0km/15.5 miles). Once everyone is gathered in Sarria you'll be transported by van to O Pedrouzo (about 1.5-hour drive) where you'll pass the night. "The O Pedrouzo urban center sits within the Parish of Arca and is headquarters of the Municipality of O Pino. Services clustered along the highway center on a plain and modern town hall." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

distance: 17.6 km

ascent: 314 m

descent: 544 m

% hard surfaces: 25

difficulty rating: 4

Monday, September 14, 2026 - O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela

Description

"A surprisingly green and peaceful entry into urban Santiago - at least until the final 5km which wind along seemingly never-ending city streets. Two tall hills make the day a moderate workout. The view from the Monte do Gozo and the final entry into Praza do Obradoiro can be a deeply emotional climax to a week, a month or season of walking toward this historic pilgrimage destination." - Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés, Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown.

distance: 19.9 km

ascent: 407 m

descent: 433 m

% hard surfaces: 22

difficulty rating: 4

Tuesday, September 15, 20-26 - Explore Santiago de Compostela

Description

Lots to explore in Santiago. The Cathedral has a lot of possibilities: attending Mass with the possibility of seeing the historic botafumeiro (Masses, Confessions, Botafumeiro | Catedral de Santiago), the rooftop or inside tour of the Cathedral or the museum. The Mercado de Abastos gives you a view of many food options and the opportunity to have a snack or lunch. Other museums: Museo das Peregrinaciones or the Museum of the Galician People offer lots of information. Or just walk around, shop and people watching are lots of fun too.

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